AlbertJ 569 Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 (edited) We are currently in the final stages of planning for the two Great Game Fairs of Ireland to take place at Shanes Castle on the 26th & 27th June 2008 ( hosting the 22nd annual All Ireland Terrier & Lurcher Championships) and Birr Castle, Co Offaly on 29th &29th August 2010 ( hosting the ROI Terrier & Lurcher Championships). As usual Saturday will be racing day and Sunday the show classes day. And there is a new system of entry whereby terrier & lurcher enthusiasts wishing to attend the Fairs both days can avail of special admission vouchers giving them half price admission. Email or call me for details. We are delighted to see that the continuing increases we have made to our Terrier & Lurcher prize fund ( at least partially stimulated by feedback from this forum) has stimulated other events to play "catch up" and I congratulate the terrier and lurcher organisers at these events for getting the overall organisers to put something back in themselves. Isn't competition a wonderful thing! As I have explained it is more difficult to get sponsorship for the Terriers & Lurchers than other events and generally speaking the majority of the prize fund is supplied by the Game Fair organising team. Now a chance for those who criticise prize funds for terriers & lurchers at Game Fairs to give us constructive feedback as to what in an ideal world they would like to see as prizes at the Fairs. 1. Would you prefer to see mainly one big prize for top terrier and top lurcher or the prize fund spread throughout the show? 2. If one big prize would you prefer (a ) assisted travel to the UK (b ) Cash prize (c ) Cash prize plus trophy to keep (d) some country sports equipment - if this please specify. 3. Class prizes: If (a ) one large main prize what would you like to see as class prizes: (i) Smaller Trophies & Rosettes (ii) Rosettes and equipment such as leads and collars. (iii) suggest some inexpensive but useful prizes. (b ) If smaller main prize and prize fund spread what would you like to see as class prizes: (i) Trophies such as Pewter Tankards, leads & collars, & Rosettes (ii) Cash Prize, Smaller Trophies & Rosettes (iii) Suggest some relevant prizes Responses to me here on the Forum or to me at irishcountrylifestyle@btinternet.com Best wishes to all on the forum for a happy Christmas and a very good sporting 2010. AlbertJ PS we shall of course be continuing to organise classes & racing for whippets suggestions from whippet owners are also welcome! Edited December 21, 2009 by AlbertJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fionn 21 Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 firstly birr was not the best terrier or lurcher show in the south of ireland secondly its not the roi championship as its run by seamus erwin mid antrim terrier club no money goes back into field sport in the republic ur running a good fair but dont be trying to butter it up ur making money thats it get a judge from the south of ireland would be a start plus donate money to charity after expences seen how many would turn up to show there dogs then Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flash28 4 Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 the terrier and lurcher show in birr was a load of sh*t get someone in the south to run it or at least someone who knows how to run a working terrier and lurcher show then worry about your prizes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Foxgun Tom 75 Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 the terrier and lurcher show in birr was a load of sh*t get someone in the south to run it or at least someone who knows how to run a working terrier and lurcher show then worry about your prizes Sounds like reasonable advice Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlbertJ 569 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 firstly birr was not the best terrier or lurcher show in the south of ireland secondly its not the roi championship as its run by seamus erwin mid antrim terrier club no money goes back into field sport in the republic ur running a good fair but dont be trying to butter it up ur making money thats it get a judge from the south of ireland would be a start plus donate money to charity after expences seen how many would turn up to show there dogs then Fionn, Thanks for your response. The Terrier show in Birr is run by the Mid Antrim Terrier & Lurcher Club and as with all the events we organise ALL money after expenses and some of the prizes goes back to the club who organises the event. That is the same for all the sports including clay pigeon shooting,fly casting and gundogs. What the club does with these funds is up to them but in terms of the terrier & lurchers the sums raised are not great. What I can say is that Seamus and his team run good shows with fair judges and their main arena displays have done more than anything to dispel the negative image of terrier & lurcher owners that used to prevail at Fairs throughout Ireland and the UK. The Fair at Birr generates several thousand euro for country sports every year and our Fairs always support two other public charities each year. We do not expect our organising clubs to donate any funds raised to charity. Over my thirty plus years of organising over 40 events I have personally donated /sponsored several hundreds of thousands of pounds/euro to country sports organisations, clubs and competitions. Other events are now only belatedly trying to play catch up. There are few major country sports organisations and clubs that have not benefitted from the Fairs and our magazines. This year our chosen organisations for major sponsorship were FISSTA and the Woodcock Association but we are always willing to listen to suggestions from clubs /organisations for sponsorship or for running fund raising activities at the Fair. We have set up National Championships in all the sports to give a focus for excellence in the sports THROUGHOUT IRELAND and these from 2010 will become truly international competitions. I came on this site to defend our organising team against attacks. Seamus and his team have done a great deal to promote terrier showing and racing in Ireland. No one can dispute that Seamus is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced terrier men in Ireland. Certainly ask anyone's opinion in the UK including Gary Middleton and you will find he is held in high regard in the UK. To answer critics of the shows being run by the Mid Antrim Club I asked Seamus and Matt to step up to the mark and judge Birr in 2009 themselves. I understand their decisions were well received. The judges being selected for 2010 will also be beyond reproach and our prize structure will be second to none AND at Seamus's request we have given half prize admission to terrier & lurcher owners to enable them to come both days. Whether you decide to show or not is up to you but we will continue to try to develop the Championships North and South. I would love you to come up with positive suggestions about how the shows could be improved rather than simply criticise the organisers. AlbertJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlbertJ 569 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 the terrier and lurcher show in birr was a load of sh*t get someone in the south to run it or at least someone who knows how to run a working terrier and lurcher show then worry about your prizes Flash28, Firstly thanks for your response. You could read my comments to Fionn. I would disagree with your apparently rather anti Northern comments. We run events and publish a magazine for the whole of Ireland. Our team is an ALL IRELAND team and we seek to find the best and most proven event organisers from whatever part of Ireland they come from. I do not know of anyone/any club in the ROI who has a greater proven track record than the Mid Antrim terrier club of running successful terrier & lurcher shows. I have been to many of their shows and events both at our Fairs and at other locations and I, as a major event organiser of over 30 years ( and over 150 major exhibitions/events including 40 game and country fairs), can see nothing at all wrong with the organisation of their events and especially their main arena displays which portray a very positive image of terriers & lurchers to the general and sporting public. Whereas I have attended other events where the organisation including the siting of the event and the racing course was simply not up to scratch. I would love to hear from you positive suggestions for improving the terrier & lurcher facet of our shows rather than simply criticise. AlbertJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlbertJ 569 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 the terrier and lurcher show in birr was a load of sh*t get someone in the south to run it or at least someone who knows how to run a working terrier and lurcher show then worry about your prizes Sounds like reasonable advice Tom Tom, Thanks for your responses and your best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. I am sorry you didn't get a chance to visit the ROI and I should be delighted to invite you to come to both Shanes and Birr 2010 and run an open minded eye over the shows. If you want to email me your address ( email me on irishcountrylifestyle@btinternet.com) I will send you DVD copies of the country channel programes on Birr and Shanes. Photo attached of the record crowds at Shanes Castle on Sunday Have a good Christmas and an enjoyable New Year. AlbertJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
micheal rennicks 17 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 who runs ballinlough is it on next year .happy new year to all Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fionn 21 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 how many lurcher terrier or hunt shows did you surpport this year in the south none i bet name them and tell me who ran them seamus was a good terrierman a long time ago how many show in south dose he support none and you want us to part with our money to support his club which has only one member him you kept refer to uk when your in birr ur in the center of ireland there a lot of good hunting people in this country which organised shows every year birr is a good family day out but costly i would never bring a dog to show again as the terriers is a disgrace this is my opinion why not try for one year with irish lads running terrier and lurcher show form a committed but this was ask before when the irish terrier federation wanted to get involed ye refuse point blank if u want to speak to me in person pm with your phone no there is nothing personal with seamus as he kept some great terriers did ye support the big show in punchestown or mention the ward hunt which needs all the support the need at moment happy xmas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kevin em 342 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 how many lurcher terrier or hunt shows did you surpport this year in the south none i bet name them and tell me who ran them seamus was a good terrierman a long time ago how many show in south dose he support none and you want us to part with our money to support his club which has only one member him you kept refer to uk when your in birr ur in the center of ireland there a lot of good hunting people in this country which organised shows every year birr is a good family day out but costly i would never bring a dog to show again as the terriers is a disgrace this is my opinion why not try for one year with irish lads running terrier and lurcher show form a committed but this was ask before when the irish terrier federation wanted to get involed ye refuse point blank if u want to speak to me in person pm with your phone no there is nothing personal with seamus as he kept some great terriers did ye support the big show in punchestown or mention the ward hunt which needs all the support the need at moment happy xmas well said fionn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flash28 4 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 sorry if I came across anti IM NOT one bit anti northern i have been to birr the last three years as its a good family day out but the standard of working terriers on show is very poor i go to alot of shows all over Ireland and the UK and I can honestly say that birr is the worst.Could ye not let some other club or person have a go a running it for one year? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gspdad 1 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 who runs ballinlough is it on next year .happy new year to all It's on the 31stJuly/1st August 2010. ATB George Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlbertJ 569 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 how many lurcher terrier or hunt shows did you surpport this year in the south none i bet name them and tell me who ran them seamus was a good terrierman a long time ago how many show in south dose he support none and you want us to part with our money to support his club which has only one member him you kept refer to uk when your in birr ur in the center of ireland there a lot of good hunting people in this country which organised shows every year birr is a good family day out but costly i would never bring a dog to show again as the terriers is a disgrace this is my opinion why not try for one year with irish lads running terrier and lurcher show form a committed but this was ask before when the irish terrier federation wanted to get involed ye refuse point blank if u want to speak to me in person pm with your phone no there is nothing personal with seamus as he kept some great terriers did ye support the big show in punchestown or mention the ward hunt which needs all the support the need at moment happy xmas well said fionn Kevin, The Mid Antrim Terrier & Lurcher Club has many other members than Seamus. I know quite a few of them and I have attended their AGM on a couple of occasions. Seamus and Matt took over running the terrier events at our Fair in NI when terrier and lurcher shows in the UK and our own at Clandeboye were developing a bad reputation for disruption. In fact many shows in the UK banned them. Seamus, Matt and some of the other guys in the Mid Antrim approached me to say they would run the show properly. Since then they have run the show in an efficient fashion. You criticise the show but don't say what you think is wrong with it. If you spell out your perceptions right or wrong we will certainly look at solving them. Seamus is still active in terrier work and again I have seen him in action. I don't go on hearsay! He doesn't show anymore because having won at most of the major shows in the UK he has nothing to prove. But he still knows a good terrier and is it not better to have someone organising the shows who is knowledgeable and experienced but doesn't show himself as he is highly unlikely to want to repay past favours to his dogs? Certainly the turnout at Shanes this year for the terrier & lurcher events ( and also Birr in dreadful weather) demonstrates that it is very much a minority of terrier & lurcher fanciers who have started this anonymous campaign against the Mid Antrim. They appear to think the club is making huge sums of money - nothing could be further from the truth because the club has led the way in increasing the prize fund for the show and in spending considerable sums on UK judge's expenses. In addition the Mid Antrim Terrier & Lurcher Club run a superb main arena event which promotes a very positive image of terriers & lurchers to the general and sporting public. Who says so - many of the hundreds of people who respond to our survey vote it their favourite main arena event. In these circumstances can you honestly think that any show organiser would change something that works, simply because a couple of anonymous critics who won't actually say what they feel is wrong with the show, crititicise the organiser and suggest in vague terms that someone unspecified from the ROI could run the show better. I am always happy to listen and consider suggestions and pass them on with my recommendations to Seamus & Matt so lets have positive suggestions as to prizes; judges and potential alternative organisers not just inaccurate criticism of the Mid Antrim Club. I haven't supported any other Terrier & Lurcher shows in the ROI because I haven't been asked to. As I say without fear of contradiction I/we have put more into sponsorship/support and arranged more support/sponsorship for country sports than any other person or organisation in Ireland. There are few major clubs or organisations we haven't supported including in 2009 the clubs organising competitions at our own fairs, FISSTA the ROI based Federation of Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers; the ROI based Woodcock Association; The Irish Kennel Club's Retriever Championships; the Kennel Club's Spaniel Championships in Glenarm; The ROI based St Hubert Club; the Northern Ireland Gundog Field & Show Society plus many other more minor sponsorships for sporting organisations and clay pigeon clubs/events. We are always willing to support any bona fide club's events even if it is just with magazine subscription or Game Fair Ticket prizes but more generally with other more substantial prizes or cash. Best wishes for XMas and 2010, AlbertJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlbertJ 569 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 how many lurcher terrier or hunt shows did you surpport this year in the south none i bet name them and tell me who ran them seamus was a good terrierman a long time ago how many show in south dose he support none and you want us to part with our money to support his club which has only one member him you kept refer to uk when your in birr ur in the center of ireland there a lot of good hunting people in this country which organised shows every year birr is a good family day out but costly i would never bring a dog to show again as the terriers is a disgrace this is my opinion why not try for one year with irish lads running terrier and lurcher show form a committed but this was ask before when the irish terrier federation wanted to get involed ye refuse point blank if u want to speak to me in person pm with your phone no there is nothing personal with seamus as he kept some great terriers did ye support the big show in punchestown or mention the ward hunt which needs all the support the need at moment happy xmas well said fionn Fionn, See my response to Kevin, my invitation to him to come up with positive suggestions applies. The allegation that I was approached by the Irish Terrier Federation and turned them down is totally FALSE. I have NEVER been approached by anyone purporting to be part of the alleged federation. I heard something about one being formed but as far as I am aware I have seen nothing about who are members, who it represents,its objectives, what events it runs etc. My telephone number os published in the Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine. I am always willing to listen to constructive criticism and suggestions which is why our magazine is not only the largest circulation country sports magazine in Ireland but also has a considerable subscription base throughout the world and our Fairs have the largest attendances in Ireland, the best competitions and prize fund and were featured on satellite and web tv by countrychannel.tv. The latter has encouraged even better quality stands from further afield to book for the shows in 2010 and a number of very high profile attractions to offer their services. I look forward to hearing some positive suggestions. Best wishes for Xmas & 2010, AlbertJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlbertJ 569 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 sorry if I came across anti IM NOT one bit anti northern i have been to birr the last three years as its a good family day out but the standard of working terriers on show is very poor i go to alot of shows all over Ireland and the UK and I can honestly say that birr is the worst.Could ye not let some other club or person have a go a running it for one year? Flash, Thanks for your response. See my replies to Kevin and Fionn. Best wishes for Xmas and 2010, AlbertJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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